Mastering Hospitality with Birdie’s: An Exclusive Conversation with Tracy & Arjav Ep. 143

What sets a restaurant apart in an industry where hospitality is everything? In this episode, André Natera sits down with Tracy Malechek Ezekiel and Arjav Ezekiel, the co-owners of Birdie’s in Austin, Texas, an award-winning restaurant redefining hospitality with its unique approach to fine dining.Birdie’s was named Restaurant of the Year 2023 by Food & Wine Magazine, with Tracy being a James Beard Best Chef Texas finalist in 2024 and Arjav a semi-finalist for the James Beard Award for Beverage Service in 2025.In this conversation, they discuss:What true hospitality looks like in a modern restaurantThe challenges and rewards of running an independent restaurantHow Birdie’s fine dining counter-service model sets it apartBalancing technique, tradition, and innovation in the kitchenThe business and philosophy behind long-term restaurant successThis is a must-listen for chefs, restaurant owners, and anyone passionate about hospitality.Listen now on Chef’s PSA.Tracy InstagramArjav InstagramBirdie's InstagramSubscribe to my Substack!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://chefspsa.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit Chef’s PSA for Books, Free eBooks, and More!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://chefspsa.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shop Chef’s PSA Merch!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shop.chefspsa.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🔗 SOCIAL MEDIAJoin our vibrant culinary community across all platforms! TikTok - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@chefspsa?lang=en⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/ChefsPSA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/chefspsa/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550525924555⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠